Inside the Phillies with MLB.com beat writer Todd Zolecki

Phillies, Frandsen Agree to $850,000 Deal

The Phillies signed Kevin Frandsen with little to no fanfare as a Minor League free agent in Nov. 2011.

It could end up being a big signing for them come 2013.

After a strong final couple months of the 2012 season with the Phillies, Frandsen agreed today to a one-year, $850,000 contract to avoid salary arbitration. The deal includes incentives and performance bonuses. Left-hander Antonio Bastardo and outfielder Nate Schierholtz are the team’s only other remaining players eligible for salary arbitration.

Frandsen’s signing is noteworthy because he could see significant playing time next season along with Freddy Galvis at third base. Placido Polanco will not be back next season, and the crop of free-agent third basemen is remarkably thin, so the Phillies might try to upgrade in the outfield and hope Frandsen and Galvis can handle the load.

Frandsen hit remarkably well with the Phillies. He hit .338 with 10 doubles, three triples, two home runs, 14 RBIs and an .834 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 55 games. In 228 career games before last season, Frandsen hit just .243 with a .636 OPS.

I like Frandsen a lot. By game’s end his uniform is always dirty. Play him for 6-7 innings, then stick Freddy Galvis in for defense (and Galvis’ hitting may have improved, based on Fall League stats). In any case, with luck, Cody Asche will be our full-time third baseman in another year or so,

I don’t like a whole lot of the free agent options. Overpriced, overhyped and over-the-hill. They should just sign Melky Cabrera to a one year make-good contract, get a decent 8th inning option for the bullpen and go from there. If the high priced talent already on the roster doesn’t come through, it really doesn’t matter.

The Phillies are doing an arrogantly parallel season that the Eagles had last year and look how that turned out for the Eagles……If you want to Win big you have to make soild average and power hitter signings…NOT flea market purchases like they have been making and resting on their laurels….Some present Phillies are not that solid and keeping them sentimentally around is what got the Eagles in trouble….not to mention POOR managing…..Start SPENDING on quality Players

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